Collapsible support structure



United States Patent 3,269,556 COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE Edward C. Streater, Spring Park, Minn., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Streater Industries, 1110., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 6, 1964, Ser. No. 365,429 Claims. (Cl. 211-132) This invention relates to shelf or support devices and more specifically to a collapsible basket type shelf device.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible type shelf device of simple and inexpensive construction, including hingedly connected back and bottom support members, which are releasably retained in an erect condition by a vertical transverse member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support device including an open top, preferably compartmented, collapsible receptacle structure in which the transverse support member thereof not only retains the bottom support member and back support member in operative upright relation, but also serves as end and divider wall means which permits the receptacle shelf structure to be formed into compartments.

Another object of this invention is to provide a receptacle type support and brackets therefor of the class described wherein the transverse divider members may be omitted at the respective ends of the support structure and thereby permit adjacent receptacles or support structures to be interrelated to thereby define a continuous shelf or support.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention in the erect operative position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detailed plan view on an enlarged scale of one end portion of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view on the same scale as FIG. 2 of the invention with certain parts thereof illustrated in an adjusted or different position by dotted line configuration.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1 it will be seen that one embodiment of the shelf or support device, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown. Means are provided for supporting the shelf or support device and this shelf supporting apparatus includes a vertical surface 11 which may comprise any vertical support such as a forwardly disposed surface of a display fixture panel or may even be a structural wall such as a partition in a store building. The wall surface 11 has secured thereto a plurality of vertical standards or bracket mounts 12 which are interconnected to the wall 11.

In the embodiment shown, the standards or bracket mounts 12 are formed of rolled heavy gauge metal and each standard has a pair of side-by-side vertical rows of slot-like bracket-receiving apertures 13 therein. Referring now to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the standards 12 are of substantially channel-shaped configuration and each channel includes a web portion 14 having legs 15 integrally joined therewith, the legs being shaped to define adjacent bracket engaging abutments 16. The elongate slot-like bracket-receiving apertures 13 are formed in the web portion 14 of the standards and it will be seen that suitable bolt means 17 secure the standards to the wall. It is pointed out, however, that other embodiments of the standard 12 may be employed and specifically those embodiments disclosed in my United Patented August 30, 1966 States Letters Patent No. 3,101,923. It is also pointed out that each shelf device 10 will necessarily require at least a pair of the standards 12 which are arranged in spaced-apart substantially parallel relation with respect to each other.

The shelf-supporting apparatus also includes shelfsupporting'brackets 18, at least two of which are required for each shelf device 10. Each pair of shelf-supporting brackets 18 are substantially identical structurally with respect to each other but are bent in opposite directions so as to be adapted for left hand and right hand ends of the shelf structure which they support.

In the form shown, the brackets 18 are constructed of heavy gauge metal and are stiff but slightly flexible and have a plate-like shape oriented in a vertical position. Each bracket includes a body portion 19 which is provided with upstanding abutments 20 at their forward ends for engaging the forward edge of the shelf structure which these brackets support. It will be noted that the body portions 19 of the brackets 18 underlie and support the shelf structure to which they are applied and the rear end portions of these brackets are insertable into selected slots 13 of the standards 12.

The rear end portion of the brackets 18 are provided with upper and lower rear insert portions 21 and 22 which normally extend rearwardly through adjacent apertures 13 of the standards 12. Each of these insert portions is provided with a downwardly facing notch and the upper insert portion is also provided with an upwardly facing notch, although these details are not shown in the drawing. To this end, it is pointed out that the supporting brackets 18 are substantially identical in construction to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 of my United States Letters Patent No. 3,101,923. It will therefore be seen that since the brackets 18 are bent at an oblique angle, these brackets may be released or ap plied to the shelf structure for support thereof by swinging the brackets arcuately so that the front abutments 20 will not engage the front edge of the shelf structure and allow the latter to be placed on the body portions 19 of the brackets. However, when the brackets are released after they have been swung in an arcuate direction, these brackets will return to the shelf-clamping position as illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the front abutment 20 bears rearwardly against the front edge of the shelf structure.

The shelf structure, designated generally by the reference numeral 23, is of wire construction and is arranged and constructed to define an open top basket or receptacle. This shelf structure 23 includes an elongate generally rectangular shaped lower support member 24 comprised of a U-shaped frame 25 having a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart substantially parallel frame elements 26 extending between and rigidly connected to the ends of the U-shaped frame 25. The lower support member 24 is also provided with a plurality of fore-and-aft laterally spaced-apart substantially parallel frame elements 27 which are secured to the front frame element of the U-shaped frame 25 and which are also rigidly secured to the longitudinal frame elements 26.

A front support member 28 is rigidly secured to the lower support member 24 and projects upwardly and forwardly from the latter. It will be seen that this front support member 28 is comprised of a U-shaped frame 29 which is actually integrally formed with the U-shaped frame 25 of the lower support member. The longitudinal fore-and-aft frame elements 26 of the lower frame member are also bent upwardly and are attached to the uppermost frame element of the U-shaped frame 29 and comprise part of the front support member 28. This front support member is also provided with a longitudinal frame element 30 which extends longitudinally of the front support member 28 and is integrally attached to the opposed ends of the U-shaped frame 29.

The shelf structure 23 also includes a generally rectangular elongate back or rear support member 31 which is comprised of a generally rectangular shaped elongate frame 32, the longitudinal frame elements of which have ragidly connected thereto a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel vertical frame elements 33, as best seen in FIG. 1.

It will be seen that the back support member 31 is of a length corresponding substantially to the length of the lower support member 24. Referring now to FIG. 2 it will also be noted that the rear end of the fore-and-aft frame elements 27 of the lower support member 24 are bent to define hinge loops 34 which encircle the lower frame element of the rear support member 31. Thus the rear support member and lower support member are hingedly connected together for relative swinging movement therebetween.

The shelf structure 23 is also provided with a plurality of identical vertical transverse support members 35 each of which is of generally rectangular configuration, although the forward peripheral edge thereof is of slightly convex configuration. Each of these transverse support members 35 includes a generally rectangular shaped frame 36 having a plurality of substantially spaced-apart parallel vertical frame elements 37 extending therebetween. These transverse support members 35 are detachably connectible to the front, rear and lower support members and not only serve as end and divider wall means but also serve as means for retaining the shelf structure 23 in an erect operative position. It will be seen that the upper frame element of each of the transverse support members 35 is bent downwardly and projects beyond the front frame element and cooperates therewith to define a hook 38 which, as best seen in FIG. 3, is adapted to substantially embrace the uppermost frame element of the U-shaped frame 29 of the front support member 28. Similarly, the upper rear corner portions of each transverse support member 35 are provided with a U-shaped clip 39 which engages the upper longitudinal frame element of the rear support member 31.

Means are also provided for stabilizing these transverse support members 35 against lateral movement and this means for each transverse support member includes a pair of U-shaped clips 40 which are afiixed to the front and rear edge portions respectively of each support member 35. It is pointed out that these U-shaped clips 40 of each transverse support member are adapted to engage in straddling relation any vertical frame element of the respective front and rear support members and it is preferred that the forwardmost clip 40 underlie the longitudinal frame element 30 of the front support member 28.

To install or erect the shelf or support device 10, the brackets 18 are first secured to the standards 12. The shelf structure 23 is then erected to the operative position from the collapsed inoperative position. When the shelf structure 23 is in the collapsed position, the rear support member 31 will be swung downwardly to lie upon the lower support member 24 and the vertical transverse support members 35 are also positioned upon the lower support member 24. Thus to erect the shelf structure 23, the rear support member 31 is swung into substantially right angular upright relation with respect to the lower support member and the transverse support members 35 are then applied to the front, rear and lower support members. The shelf structure is then placed upon the upper surface of the body portions 19 of a pair of brackets, the latter having been swung arcuately in a direction so that the abutments 20 do not engage the front longitudinal frame element of the lower support member. These brackets are then released and the shelf structure is clamped or locked in supported relation as best viewed in FIG. 1. It will be noted that the height or vertical dimension of the front support member 28 is approximately one half or only slightly greater than one half the vertical dimension of the vertical dimension of the rear support member 31.

It will be noted in FIG. 1 that a plurality of vertical transverse support members 35 are provided although it is only necessary to provide one for each shelf structure. The transverse support members 35 as applied in FIG. 1 define the end walls of the shelf structure and also the central transverse support member 35 defines a divider wall member so that a compartmented shelf structure is provided. It will be appreciated that additional transverse support members may be applied to form additional compartments since these vertical support members are of identical construction. It is also pointed out that in the event it is desirable to provide continuous shelving structure, no transverse support members need be applied at their respective ends of each shelf structure whereby adjacent shelf structures including the rear, front and lower support members thereof form a continuous shelving support. In such an arrangement, a single vertical transverse support member may be used with each shelf structure 23.

It will be seen that the shelf structure 23 may be readily collapsed and removed from supported relation with respect to a vertical support 11, and it is also pointed out that the shelf structure may be collapsed and folded to an out-of-the-way position as illustrated in dotted line configuration in FIG. 3. When this is done, the lower and front support members are folded upwardly after the transverse support member or members 35 have been removed and positioned upon the lower support member 24. Suitable means may be provided for retaining the collapsed shelf structure 23 in such folded position.

When a shelf device 23 has been collapsed, each such shelf device comprises a structure of relatively small compass thereby facilitating packaging and handling and shipping of these devices. Although the wire construction of the collapsible shelf structure 23 presents a relatively light weight device, the shelf structure is still capable of supporting heavy loads and is especially adaptable for use in supporting articles in commercial establishments such as super markets and the like. This open wire construction also permits a self cleaning feature so that the shelf structure is especially adaptable in supporting produce and the like.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a new and improved collapsible shelf device which may be arranged into a plurality of compartments or which may be used to form substantially continuous shelving at a single elevation. It will also be noted from the preceding paragraphs that the vertical transverse support members of my shelf device not only cooperate with other support members thereof to define compartments, but also serve to retain the shelf structure in an erected position.

It will therefore be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel shelf device which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is: Y

1. A shelf device comprising an elongate collapsible receptacle type shelf structure including an elongate .normally horizontally oriented lower support member,

a vertical support member hingedly connected adjacent its lower edge to one longitudinal edge of said lower support member and being pivotal relative to the latter between an inoperative collapsed position wherein said vertical support member is disposed substantially horizontally upon said lower support member, and an operative erect position,

a vertically disposed transverse support member extending transversely of and releasably interconnected with said lower support member and said vertical support member and retaining the latter in an erect operative position,

a plurality of self-supporting brackets releasably connected to apertured upstanding bracket-mounting members, each bracket including an inner portion and an outer portion and being flexible in the direction of the length of the shelf structure, each bracket having hook means at the inner portion thereof releasably engageable with one of the bracket-mounting members, and each bracket having abutment means at the outer end thereof resiliently engaging the longitudinal edge of the shelf structure to releasably lock the same in supported relation on said brackets.

2. A shelf device comprising an elongate collapsible open top, wire, receptacle type shelf structure including an elongate normally horizontally oriented, generally rectangular shaped lower support member,

mented collapsible open top, wire,

a vertically disposed front support member connected adjacent its lower edge to one longitudinal edge of said lower support member,

a vertically disposed rear support member hingedly connected adjacent its lower edge to the other longitudinal edge of said lower support member and being pivotal relative to the latter between an inoperative collapsed position wherein said rear support member is disposed substantially horizontally upon said lower support member, and an operative erect position,

a vertically disposed transverse support member extending transversely of said lower support member and being releasably interconnected with said front and rear support members and retaining the latter in an erect operative position,

a plurality of shelf-supporting brackets to be applied to upstanding apertured bracket-mounting members, each bracket including an inner portion and an outer portion and being flexible in the direction of the length of the shelf structure and each bracket having hook means at the inner portion thereof releasably engageable with the bracket-mounting members, and each bracket having abutment means at the outer end thereof resiliently engaging one longitudinal edge of the shelf structure to releasably lock the same in sulpported relation upon said brackets.

3. A shelf device comprising an elongate compartreceptacle type shelf structure including an elongate normally horizontally oriented, generally rectangular shaped lower support member,

6 a vertically disposed front support member fixedly connected adjacent its lower edge to one longitudinal edge of said lower support member,

a vertically disposed rear support member hingedly a plurality of substantially similar vertically disposed transverse support members each extending transversely of said lower support member, and each transverse support member having means thereon releasably engaging said front and rear support members to retain the latter in an operative erect position, said transverse support members defining divider wall means and forming with said front, rear and lower support members a shelf structure having a plurality of compartments,

and a plurality of shelf-supporting brackets adapted to be releasably connected to upstanding apertured bracket-mounting members, each bracket including an inner portion and an outer portion and being flexible in the direction of the length of the shelf structure, each bracket having hook means at the inner portion thereof releasably engageable with the bracket-mounting members, and each bracket having abutment means at the outer end thereof resiliently engaging the longitudinal edge of the shelf structure to releasably lock the same in supported relation upon said brackets.

4. The shelf device as defined in claim 3 wherein said front support member has a vertical dimension approximating one half the vertical dimension of said rear support member.

5. The shelf device as defined in claim 3 wherein said engaging means on each transverse support member comprises a plurality of locking clips.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,833,420 5/ 1958 Streater 108-144 2,934,215 4/ 1960 Mogulescu 211-126 3,145,850 8/1964 Ciborowski 211-126 FOREIGN PATENTS 731,996 6/1955 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

K. I. WINGERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SHELF DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELOGNATE COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE TYPE SHELF STRUCTURE INCLUDING AN ELONGATE NORMALLY HORIZONTALLY ORIENTED LOWER SUPPORT MEMBER, A VERTICAL SUPPORT MEMBER HINGEDLY CONNECTED ADJACENT ITS LOWER EDGE TO ONE LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID LOWER SUPPORT MEMBER AND BEING PIVOTAL RELATIVE TO THE LATTER BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE COLLAPSED POSITION WHEREIN SAID VERTICAL SUPPORT MEMBER IS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY UPON SAID LOWER SUPPORT MEMBER, AND AN OPERATIVE ERECT POSITION, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED TRANSVERSE SUPPORT MEMBER EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF AND RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTED WITH SAID LOWER SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID VERTICAL SUPPORT MEMBER AND RETAINING THE LATTER IN AN ERECT OPERATIVE POSITION, A PLURALITY OF SELF-SUPPORTING BRACKETS RELEASABLY CONNECTED TO APERTURED UPSTANDING BRACKET-MOUNTING MEMBERS, EACH BRACKET INCLUDING AN INNER PORTION AND AN OUTER PORTION AND BEING FLEXIBLE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LENGTH OF THE SHELF STRUCTURE, EACH BRACKET HAVING HOOK MEANS AT THE INNER PORTION THEREOF RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF THE BRACKET-MOUNTING MEMBERS, AND EACH BRACKET HAVING ABUTMENT MEANS AT THE OUTER END THEREOF RESILIENTLY ENGAGING THE LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF THE SHELF STRUCTURE TO RELEASABLY LOCK THE SAME IN SUPPORT RELATION ON SAID BRACKETS. 